What is SFTP, and how do I use an SFTP client to transfer
files?

Overview

The SSH File Transfer Protocol (also known as Secure FTP
and SFTP) is a computing network protocol for accessing and managing
files on remote file systems. SFTP also allows file transfers between
hosts, similar to the SCP protocol. Unlike standard File
Transfer Protocol (FTP), SFTP encrypt commands and data both,
preventing passwords and sensitive information from being transmitted
in the clear over a network.

SFTP clients are programs that use SSH to access,
manage, and transfer files. SFTP clients are functionally similar to
FTP clients, but they use different protocols. Consequently, you
cannot use standard FTP clients to connect to SFTP servers, nor can
you use clients that support only SFTP to connect to FTP
servers. Graphical clients are available for SFTP, or you can use it
from the command line on a Unix or Mac OS X computer.

Graphical SFTP clients

Graphical SFTP clients simplify file transfers by allowing you to
drag and drop icons from one window to another. Each icon represents a
file or directory, and each window represents a computer's file
system. When you open the program, you specify the name of the remote
host to which you want to connect, and then authenticate
with your username and password for that host.

Show the current directory (present working directory) on the local
computer.

ls (or dir)

List the contents of the current directory on the remote computer.

lumask

Change the local umask value.

mkdir

Create a directory on the remote computer.

put

Copy a file from the local computer to the remote computer.

pwd

Show the current directory (present working directory) on the
remote computer.

rename

Rename a file on the remote computer.

rm

Delete a file on the remote computer.

rmdir

Remove a directory on the remote computer (the directory usually
has to be empty).

version

Display the SFTP version.

!

Exit to the Unix shell prompt, where you can enter
commands. To get back to SFTP, enter exit. If you combine
! with a command (e.g., !pwd),
SFTP will execute the command without dropping you to the Unix prompt.

This document was developed with support from National
Science Foundation (NSF) grant OCI-1053575. Any opinions,
findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this
material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the
views of the NSF.